The Underappreciated Golem

With Rhydon being the ground/rock Pokémon of choice, why even bother with Golem? They are essentially the same with Rhydon simply having the advantage of having a higher CP. It is the question that is being answered today.

The general consensus is Golem’s optimal move set is Mudslap/Earthquake. The problem with this analysis is that it is made in a vacuum. It also disregards future tweaks to movesets and Pokémon. I believe this is the incorrect move set to be investing in with candies and stardust as a player. In my opinion, the optimal move set is actually Rock Smash/ Stone Edge.

I first look to Omastar to validate my position. Players and websites alike go on and on about the accolades of an Omastar with a Legacy moveset of Rock Throw/Rock Slide. It is herald as one of the best move sets in the game. As such, it perplexes me why a Golem with the Rock Throw/Stone Edge doesn’t get the same love? Quick Moves are the same. Stone Edge has a higher DPS (damage per second). Golem also has a higher max CP. I must mention that I understand the Omastar argument. A Rock-Rock move set has many advantages in a number of match-ups. Well, let’s look at a few.

Weak to Rock and Resistant to Ground:

Dragonite

Gyarados

Pinsir

DPS change:

Mud Slap – 11.85

Earthquake – 25.14

Rock Throw – 14.70

Stone Edge – 42.74

Double Weakness to Rock:

Ho-Oh

Articuno (also resistant to ground)

Moltres

Charizard

DPS change:

Mud Slap – 14.81

Earthquake – 31.43

Rock Throw – 17.64

Stone Edge – 51.23

Weak to Rock:

Zapdos

Lapras

Dewdong

Cloyster

DPS change:

Mud Slap – 14.81

Earthquake – 31.43

Rock Throw – 14.70

Stone Edge – 42.74

Resistant to Ground:

Exeggutor

DPS change:

Mud Slap – 11.85

Earthquake – 25.14

Rock Throw – 11.76

Stone Edge – 34.19

Certainly, there are instances where Mud Slap has a slight edge over Rock Throw. As can be seen above, there are a number of match-ups that Rock Throw and Stone Edge combo is just better. The most notable being the Dragonite, Gyarados, Lapras and Exeggutor match-ups. I cheated, but I included some of the Legendaries that will eventually be released. When they are released sometime this century, the Rock Throw/Stone Edge move set will only get better. Articuno in particular is double weak to Rock and resistant to ground.

Personally, I have a Golem with a Mud Slap/Earthquake move set. I have chosen instead to invest in the Golem with Rock Throw/Stone Edge move set. Besides the whole math thing, there are other reasons. For one, Golem is one of few Pokemon that can obtain a Rock quick move along with a Rock charge move. That makes it unique. If a gr ound-ground move set is what you are in the market for, that move set can be obtained with Rhydon. When Gen II is released, Donphan will also fill that role. Tyranitar may have a Rock-Rock move set, but I have my doubts. Besides the few with an Omastar with a legacy move set, Golem is pretty much it.

Just so we are clear, I am not saying Mudslap/Earthquake or Mudslap/Stone Edge are terrible move sets. They are quite good. In my experience in taking down gyms, having options is essential. Water Pokemon for example are a dime a dozen. There are dozens of options. Water gun this and Hydro Pump that. Like I mentioned before, Rock-Rock move sets are pretty rare. It is also rare for me to ever want a Pokemon with Ground-Ground move set. When that scenario does arise, there are a number of other attackers in my arsenal that get the job done just as well.

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